Ringing in 2016

Undisclosed Grass Valley Location

To celebrate the new year, we traveled to our Grass Valley member's house for a kicked back sleepover full of Found Footage Festival viewings, nacho bar, soup, garlic break, Christmas punch and so much more! The indoor confetti canon was especially fun.

Drinky Christmas Fundue

Undisclosed Location

This might be the best night of the year! Add all the drunks is one home with four pots of fondue, a secret Santa and pink elephant gift exchange and it turns into a mighty fine night.

There was much laughter, drinking and merry making. Merry Christmas everyone!

Sandra Dee's

601 15th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 448-6375

With the Drinky Christmas Fundue party on the horizon in just two days, we had the usual small crowd which works just fine with some good old fashion southern food. Sandra Dee's always serves up the best fried chicken in town and pair that with some tri-tip and their half & half barbecue sauce and it's just about perfect. Oh, and the sides! It's really hard to choose just two.

Masullo Pizza, Birth of Scribby

2711 Riverside Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 443-8929

Oh Masullo, my favorite pizza in Sacramento. Where else would I go for my birthday! We took over a large communal table with a rotating crew of drunks. As always, it was a delicious night of wine, pizza and friends. Thank you Masullo!

Cafe Marika, Birth of Brian

2011 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 442-0405

Brian has two birthday traditions. 1) pick good food. 2) ask for toys then donate them. So this year, we return to maybe the smallest restaurant in Sacramento - Cafe Marika. It's so small that if you come in, the two owners and only people that work there, may shake their heads which means "none for you". We were a large group of eight so they said no to quite  few people that night.

We liked that they choose a size and style of beer glass for each person and that one whole table got soup while the other table choose salad. The food is here stick-to-your ribs delicious Hungarian comfort food. Nothing like it anywhere else and totally hits the spot on a cold winter night.

And to top off the night we watched as Brian opened all his wonderful gifts which were donated to kids in need the next day. Well done Brian!

Drink with Your Family Day 2015

The only Thursday we don't convene is National Drink with Your Family Day. We hope you all drank and ate well! As you can see from our photos, we did.

And no, we didn't eat babies or kittens. Some drunks just got lazy about their dinner photos.

Ma Jong's & Cafeteria 15L

1431 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-7555

Ma Jong's is one of those places that has dependably delicious food and the price hits the spot as well as the ease of ordering at the counter and finding some communal seating. With Cafeteria 15L connected by the hallway, a full bar is just steps away. Also, Cafeteria's happy hour is ridiculously good so hit that up for some pot stickers and lettuce cups before heading to dinner. It's also a great place to hit up before a show at the Community Center since it's fast and never packed. Now I want this food again.

Chicago Fire, Old Folsom

614 Sutter Street
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 353-0140

One Instagram post of Chicago style deep dish pizza and we couldn't help but find some on a Thursday. We ended up at an oldie but a goodie - Chicago Fire on Sutter Street. The original!

You can't go wrong with a thin crust, a deep dish and salads all around with with a hefty pour of beer and wine.

Also, the decision was made to make 2016 the year of inviting ourselves to people's houses. Surprise!

Spectre at Studio Movie Grill

5140 Commons Dr
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 238-9000

Some of us drunks are a sucker for Bond films so we hit up our favorite movie theater, Studio Movie Grill for some chase scenes, martinis and Bond girls. We love the cushy chairs, food delivery and full bar. Plus, they have some seriously good popcorn!

We took over row J and enjoyed all the action and villains. Always a good time.

Broderick Midtown

1820 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 469-9720

We've been out to the original Broderick location and thought it was about time to try out there new Midtown location. While it lacks the personality of the West Sac location, the menu still sports all our favorites like the Banh Mi fries and the Johnny Cash burger there are also so fun new options like booze milkshakes. Really good booze milkshakes!

Basically, get your fix of all the decadent Broderick food you know and love while staying on the grid.

Hot Italian & Magpie Cafe

Hot Italian 1627 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-3000

Magpie Cafe 1601 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 452-7594

Sliced was a week long celebration of all things pizza so we ended up at Hot Italian for a night of pizza pies, beer, wine and a really good showing of the next generation of Drunks for a total of 14 people! They changed up the menu for the fall with some fun new additions so check them out while you can.

And as a dessert and appertif follow up, we wandered a few doors down to Magpie for a nightcap and some desserts. The Port of Rye was a fabulous little cocktail and I have to say their cocktail game is strong! Ice cream sandwiches, chocolate mousse and a large selection of cookies were consumed.

Damn fine night.

Italian Feast at Momma J's

Undisclosed Roseville Location

When Momma J's brother and sister lost everything, and I mean everything in the Butte fire a fundraiser was started and many of the Drunks donated what we could to help out. Momma J treated us all to an Italian feast dinner as a thank you. We didn't do it for the food, but damn, it was delicious.

Lasagna, baked pesto chicken with crispy skin, salad, garlic bread and all the Drunks and mini dogs you could handle. A house party is always a good time.

Thanks Momma J!

Kasbah Lounge

2115 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-4353

Why have we not been here before?! Their happy hour is full of good deals and delicious snacks and even though you can purchase food from Tapas next door, they have a strong menu of their very own. With a full bar, comfy and lush seating (as well as tables for those not included to lounging), it is a wonderful place to hangout with friends for a long conversation.

The hummus is outstanding and their shwarma is wonderful. We want to go back to try all the foods!

Boneshaker Community Brewery

4810 Granite Drive #A-1
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 672-6292

I've missed each time we've gone here but all the Drunks seem to like it! Chalk this up to the lame blogger post.

Things I know: Drunks had fun. Drunks enjoyed delicious food. Drunks imbibed in beer and wine. Drunks laughed, chatted and had some shenanigans.

Empress Tavern

1013 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 662-7694

The masterminds behind Mother (the all vegetarian restaurant on K Street that blows our skirts up), took over the basement theater at the Crest and transformed into a modern meat market (the meat kind, not the douchebag kind). The place is barely recognizable except for two curved walls to the bathrooms that remain from the original theater. Everything else from the cavernous brick arched, the gold flake wallpaper and the gorgeous bar at the center of the room is all brand new!

Empress has a demonstration kitchen, which we couldn't see from the lounge side, but it's beautiful and the chef's skills are on full display. We did a lot of cocktails, snacks and a couple of main dishes. We really need to come back and do a sit down dinner and try all the family meals. Poor us!

The smoked trout dip was light, fluffy and delicious. Perfect to add to a cocktail for a post work recess. The beef cheek stroganoff was a favorite and a rich, hearty meal on homemade pasta. All the cocktails are beautifully on point and the tea service is just a fun way to share booze.

Even though they have only been open for a month, the front of house, food and service are like they have been open for months. They are killing it and it's a beautiful thing to watch. Three cheers to Empress!

PS. There is no cell reception down there so enjoy the anonymity!

Smoked Passmore Ranch trout dip.

Tea Service No. 2. So much booze!

No. 3 Native Grass

No. 2 Rose

Crazy burger with pastrami and pickled veg.

Sardines

Primo Pizza Burger & Brew

2600 Sunset Blvd #103
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 259-1010

We have some drunks in the Rocklin area to we try to venture out when they can make it. Enter Primo Pizza in a quiet strip mall off of Sunset Boulevard in a suburb. This place was packed on a Thursday night with families and for good reason. The pizza has a classic fluffy, doughy crust with fresh toppings. They also have gut-busting portions of pastas, fresh salads and the best thing ever - cheesy knots. Add in some crack-like ranch and we might have filled up on knots before the pizza came. Also, they pour some very generous glasses of wine, so drink up!

Bombay Bar & Grill

1315 21st Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-7100

This is our favorite Indian restaurant on the grid. the staff and family who own it are always gracious and nice, their menu is more diverse than most and their food is richly spiced and each dish is unique. Add in a full bar and this place is a great addition to midtown.

Hit this place up, get then thali and enjoy!

Nido Bakery, the Oldpie

1409 R St #102
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 452-7594

This place, in the old Magpie spot, is a gem although a lot of people don't quite get it yet. Let us help you understand. It's right in the center of all the action without needing to elbow your way to get a drink. Top notch espresso, ALL the baked goods, a colorful selection of foccocia pizza, a couple of soups, a salad, beer and wine. The staff is friendly and rad. That's it!

The trick is that it's crazy affordable and the food is by the masterminds behind Magpie and Yellowbill so it is WAY better than other late night coffee shops. You can seriously have a quick, top-notch meal and a beer or an amazing coffee and handmade buttery croissant for less than $10.

Cheese plate & half glass of wine $10
Pork and fresh bean soup & a salad $9.50
Pizza al taglio with meat & a beer $9.25
Cappuccino & a fresh, local peach hand-pie $6

This is a place you can stop in, visit with a friend, read a book or get some work done and run into friends and neighbors. Or just get a glass of wine and watch the R Street world go by during these lovely Sacramento evenings. Any way you slice it, it's a great addition to the area for those of us who don't want to unload our wallets or wait for a table.

Check it out, visit with a friend and take your time. You won't regret it.

Then mosey on down to Portal while it's around!

Cheese plate & a half glass of rose. Vegetable miso soup with a corn muffin & half glass of red wine.

Cheese plate, wine and pizza

The Spritz, description in the next photo!

A couple of appertifs on the menu as well. Both light & refreshing.

We took over the outside area on a lovely night.

We might have also taken over the inside!

And a quick trip to Portal.

Reflections of some drunks.